Chargers prep for Colts (again)

Players are expecting another close game

The Chargers (8-8), newly crowned AFC West champs after last night's 52-21 win over the Denver Broncos, will host the wild-card Indianapolis Colts (12-4) Saturday night in the opening round of the playoffs. It's an all-too-familiar opponent for a team making the most unlikely of playoff appearances.

“We know them well – it's like a division opponent really,” said Weddle, who led the Chargers with 11 tackles last night. “We know them inside and out. It's really who is going to execute better. They're going to know us; we're going to know them. Who is going to make the play that comes down to winning the game? We have to be sure we don't have turnovers. Field position is going to be a factor. It's going to be a great game.”

And, of course, there is Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

“Peyton Manning is not anybody you ever want to see in the playoffs,” Hart said. “But that's who we have to go through if we want to get to where we want to get.”

This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams in the past 14 months. Most recently was last month when the Colts won 23-20 in San Diego on a 51-yard, game-ending field goal by Adam Vinatieri. In last year's AFC divisional playoff game in Indianapolis, the Chargers won 28-24 behind Billy Volek's heroics. And in a 23-21 win in the regular season last year in San Diego, the Chargers intercepted Manning six times (three by Antonio Cromartie).

With the last three games coming down to a total of nine points, players expect Saturday's game to be just as close.

“We match up well against them,” said Chambers, who led the Chargers with six catches for 61 yards in last month's loss. “We know what type of game it's going to be. We get to play at home, which is definitely a plus than having to go up there and play. We have a couple of factors on our side. They'll be ready, and we'll be ready as well.”

In the past three meetings, Manning has thrown for 985 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions, so containing him is priority No. 1.

“With Peyton Manning, it is exciting to play against the best,” said linebacker Matt Wilhelm, who intercepted Manning in last year's six-pick game. “Year in and year out, he is the top quarterback. They started slow but they're on a heck of a run right now and we were part of that run that they were on and there's payback to be had. We're excited to get after them and play against the best in the playoffs.”

Since dropping back-to-back games against the Packers and Titans, the Colts have won nine in a row, and Manning is a favorite for league MVP.

“We have to be more physical (than last game),” Hart said. “Come out and attack a little more and get a better pass rush. That's picked up since the last time we played them. We're going to do some good things and hopefully move on to the next round. But we've got to take care of them before we can think about that.”

Said linebacker Stephen Cooper: “I hope we get out to a good start early and just play San Diego Chargers football. That's the biggest thing. If we do that, we'll be fine.”